Published: Thursday, November 13, 2008
Local coalition create new resource for the jobless
EVERETT -- As more people lose their jobs in a tough economy, a coalition of private and public agencies has developed a Web site to make it easier for Snohomish County residents to deal with unemployment.
A new Web page, www.helpforhardtimes.org, aims to help the unemployed find resources they need as quickly as possible. About 60 people on Wednesday gathered at Everett Station to launch the program.
"We want people out of a job to know there's one place you can go to," said Carl Zapora, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Snohomish County.
The Web page, the first of its kind in the county, has links to various resources such as unemployment benefits, food assistance, job training and credit counseling. Companies and agencies including The Boeing Co. and United Way have pitched in $13,000 to get the program going, said Deborah Squires, a spokeswoman for United Way.
"We really have to work together in these challenging times," Zapora said.
In September, 19,650 people were unemployed in Snohomish County, said Donna Thompson, regional economist for the state's Employment Security Department. The county's unemployment rate in September was 5.2 percent, up from 5 percent in August.
The economy is expected to remain tough into next year, Thompson said.
"I think we are going to have to see a turnaround in the housing market," she said.
Many people who are laid off may have few clues about what they need to do, said Captain Dana Libby of the Salvation Army in Everett. The new Web site is expected to simplify things for them.
"If they do something, they feel more empowered," Libby said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
A new Web page, www.helpforhardtimes.org, aims to help the unemployed find resources they need as quickly as possible. About 60 people on Wednesday gathered at Everett Station to launch the program.
"We want people out of a job to know there's one place you can go to," said Carl Zapora, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Snohomish County.
The Web page, the first of its kind in the county, has links to various resources such as unemployment benefits, food assistance, job training and credit counseling. Companies and agencies including The Boeing Co. and United Way have pitched in $13,000 to get the program going, said Deborah Squires, a spokeswoman for United Way.
"We really have to work together in these challenging times," Zapora said.
In September, 19,650 people were unemployed in Snohomish County, said Donna Thompson, regional economist for the state's Employment Security Department. The county's unemployment rate in September was 5.2 percent, up from 5 percent in August.
The economy is expected to remain tough into next year, Thompson said.
"I think we are going to have to see a turnaround in the housing market," she said.
Many people who are laid off may have few clues about what they need to do, said Captain Dana Libby of the Salvation Army in Everett. The new Web site is expected to simplify things for them.
"If they do something, they feel more empowered," Libby said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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